Finding the Right Landscaper

DIY is great for: Laying turf, planting borders, building raised beds from sleepers, assembling a flat-pack shed, and basic gravel areas. These are weekend projects that most people can handle with YouTube, a trip to B&Q, and a willingness to get muddy.

Hire a professional for: Patio and paving work (getting it level and properly drained is harder than it looks), anything involving a mini-digger (ground preparation, drainage trenches), retaining walls, steps and levels, and any work requiring building regulations compliance. Also consider hiring for the full garden design if you want a cohesive, magazine-worthy result rather than a piecemeal approach.

The hybrid approach: Many new build buyers get a landscaper to do the hard landscaping (patio, pathways, raised beds) and then DIY the planting and turfing. This gives you professional quality where it matters most (the structural elements) while saving money on the parts that are genuinely easy to do yourself.

A good landscaper isn't just someone who lays slabs. They'll design your garden layout, advise on materials and drainage, prepare the ground properly, handle all the heavy work, and deliver a finished result that looks professional. Many also offer planting plans and ongoing maintenance packages.

Some landscapers specialise in design (they'll create a detailed plan with CAD drawings), while others focus on build (they'll work from your design or a rough sketch). The best do both — but charge accordingly.

• "Can I see examples of similar work?" — photos of completed new build gardens, ideally in your area
• "Do you have public liability insurance?" — essential if they're working on your property. Ask for the certificate.
• "What's included in the quote?" — materials, labour, skip hire, plant supply. Hidden costs are the biggest source of complaints.
• "What's your timeline?" — good landscapers are booked weeks ahead. If someone can start tomorrow, ask why.
• "How do you handle drainage?" — if they shrug at this question, find someone else. Drainage is critical in new build gardens.
• "Do you guarantee your work?" — a minimum 12-month guarantee on hard landscaping is standard.

Always get at least 3 quotes. Landscaping prices vary enormously — we've seen quotes for the same job range from £3,000 to £12,000. The cheapest isn't always worst and the most expensive isn't always best, but comparing gives you a sense of the fair market rate.

Make sure each landscaper quotes on the same scope of work. Provide a written brief or sketch showing what you want, and ask each one to itemise materials and labour separately. This makes comparison much easier.

• Basic lawn + border planting: £1,000-£3,000
• Patio (12-16m²) + lawn: £3,000-£6,000
• Full rear garden redesign: £5,000-£15,000
• Premium garden with patio, decking, planting, lighting: £15,000-£30,000+
• Fencing (one side, 4-6 panels, supply + fit): £500-£1,500
• Garden design only (professional CAD plan): £300-£1,000

For a typical new build rear garden, most buyers spend £3,000-£8,000 for a well-finished result with a patio, lawn, planting, and basic lighting.

• No written quote: Everything should be in writing. Verbal quotes lead to disputes.
• Large upfront payment: A 10-20% deposit is reasonable. 50%+ upfront before work starts is a red flag.
• No insurance: If they damage your property or injure themselves, you're liable.
• No references: A good landscaper has happy customers willing to vouch for them.
• Pressure to start immediately: Legitimate landscapers have a waiting list. Instant availability in peak season suggests a lack of demand for a reason.
• Significantly cheaper than everyone else: If one quote is half the price of the others, something is being cut — materials quality, preparation depth, or drainage provisions.